General Information

Plan a memorable field trip experience for your students! The Magic House educators, all certified teachers, facilitate guided field trip experiences that support core academics and encourage creative problem solving, communication and critical thinking skills. The Magic House is open exclusively for school groups during reserved field trip hours.

Field trips are offered Tuesday through Friday mornings throughout the school year as well as select Mondays during April and May.

Field trip admission is $6.00 per person for students and adults.

One teacher per classroom is admitted free of charge.

A minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five students.

The content of all field trip programs at The Magic House aligns with national and state standards.

Special Discounts

Access for All
Free field trip programs are available on a limited basis to Title 1 schools as well as schools that serve 50 percent or more of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch. Thanks to generous donors who contribute to Access for All, The Magic House is able to provide these free learning experiences.

Fall Field Trip Special – September and October 2017Reserved field trip admission rates are falling to $3 per person for schools visiting during September and October 2017. Make your reservations early before this good buy sells out. (Regular field trip price is $6.00).

Fall Outreach Special – September 2017Half-price rates are available for daytime outreach programs scheduled for the month of September 2017.

Kids Can Help – November 2017It is better to give than to receive. During November 2017, students and adults who donate a can of food will receive FREE admission when visiting on a reserved Classic Magic House field trip tour. All canned foods will be donated to the St. Louis Area Foodbank.

Ring in the New Year! – January 2018Schools visiting on a reserved field trip tour during January 9-29, 2018 will be admitted for a special admission rate of $3.00 per person.

What’s New

Dinosaur TrainPreschool through Grade 2Available October 10, 2017 through November 17, 2017 and April 3, 2018 through May 12, 2018

All aboard the Dinosaur Train! Based on The Jim Henson Company’s popular PBS KIDS TV series, Dinosaur Train transports students back to the time of dinosaurs to unearth basic concepts in life science and natural history. Throughout the experience, children will learn about the three time periods of the Age of the Dinosaurs as well as explore the science of paleontology, basic math skills and science vocabulary.

Dinosaur Train was developed by The Magic House in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company.

Thanks to generous grants from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing and Mastercard, a limited number of qualifying school groups will participate in this program free of charge.

The sky’s the limit! Future engineers will be inspired by Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks featuring astonishing skyscrapers from North America, Asia and Australia constructed with breathtaking architectural detail and accuracy by the Southern Hemisphere’s only certified LEGO professional, Australia’s Ryan McNaught. Limited only by their imaginations, students will create their own ‘towers of tomorrow’ with over 200,000 loose LEGO bricks. Classmates will work together to add to a steadily rising futuristic LEGO metropolis inside the exhibit.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Edward Chase Garvey Memorial Foundation, a limited number of qualifying school groups will participate in this program free of charge.

It’s the ultimate DIY experience for students! Budding inventors tackle design challenges targeting grade-specific STEAM academic disciplines. From constructing a skyscraper to creating an electric circuit, integration of problem-based learning and design thinking will actively engage students in the discovery process to solve open-ended problems and empower them with knowledge.

Each one hour and 30-minute tour includes an exclusive exploration of the Make-It Workshop, Art Studio and Future Play and a grade level-specific program.

Wonder Works (Preschool – Kindergarten)

Wonder Works

Wonder Works takes curious young minds and busy bodies on a STEAM learning adventure!

Designed to support and nurture young children’s curiosity, each one hour and 15-minute tour includes exclusive use of Wonder Works by your group for one hour before moving to a classroom where a children’s literature program is presented with accompanying hands-on activities.

Welcome to the wonderful adventure of Walter, a charming arachnid, determined to spin a shape-strong, wind-proof web. Walter experiments, perseveres, and gets the job done resulting in a creation of geometric genius! Activities sure to weave shape-savvy smarts into our youngest visitors will complete the visit!

Mrs. Claus tells the touching tale of a group of mice who live in The Magic House and learn about the true spirit of giving. A surprise visit from a very special guest will inspire little ones to Ho-Ho-Ho all the way home!

January 9 – March 8, 2018

Best in Snow
by April Pulley Sayre

An attention-grabbing celebration of snowfall calls curious children to take a closer look at winter’s frosty blanket covering forests, fur and feathers! After the read-aloud, youngsters will shiver with excitement as they enjoy an exploration of this flakey season!

April 3 – May 24, 2018

Abracadabra It’s Spring
by Anne Sibley O’Brien

“When the cold of winter gives way to the warmth of spring, there’s magic in the air!” Bright illustrations and lyrical text set the stage for an exploration of nature’s surprises! Activities inviting little ones on a sensory path of springtime discovery will follow the story.

Thanks to generous grants from Mastercard and the Union Pacific Foundation a limited number of qualifying school groups will participate in this program free of charge.

Dinosaur TrainPreschool through Grade 2Available October 10, 2017 through November 17, 2017 and April 3, 2018 through May 12, 2018

All aboard the Dinosaur Train! Based on The Jim Henson Company’s popular PBS KIDS TV series, Dinosaur Train transports students back to the time of dinosaurs to unearth basic concepts in life science and natural history. Throughout the experience, children will learn about the three time periods of the Age of the Dinosaurs as well as explore the science of paleontology, basic math skills and science vocabulary.

Dinosaur Train was developed by The Magic House in collaboration with The Jim Henson Company.

Thanks to generous grants from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing and Mastercard, a limited number of qualifying school groups will participate in this program free of charge.

Classic Magic House (Kindergarten – Grade 5)

Classic House

During Classic Magic House tours, elementary students will discover dozens of exciting and challenging hands-on exhibits. The adventure begins with the exploration of math, magnetism, shadows, sound, the power of air and more than 50 other educational exhibits that enhance creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and scientific literacy.

Every two-hour tour includes an exploration of the Museum’s three floors of interactive exhibits and an educational program of your choice. Available programs include an investigation of electricity or a visit to the traveling exhibit. Favorite Classic Magic House exhibits include the Math Path, Electrostatic Generator, Bubble Room, Shadow Wall, Pulleys and thethree-story Super Slide.

Tour times: 9:15 am and 9:45 am

Request a field trip here. See our Classic Magic House Field Trip programs below.

Bright Ideas (Grades 1 – 5)

This exploration of electricity and magnetism features a visit to a Museum classroom where students participate in electrifying activities! Included is an investigation of conductors, insulators and circuits. Students will light up as they make their own working switches, electronic games, magnet mazes and transform ordinary pencils into magic wands. This program enables students to explore the processes of scientific inquiry and learn firsthand about the forces that power our world.

The sky’s the limit! Future engineers will be inspired by Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks featuring astonishing skyscrapers from North America, Asia and Australia constructed with breathtaking architectural detail and accuracy by the Southern Hemisphere’s only certified LEGO professional, Australia’s Ryan McNaught. Limited only by their imaginations, students will create their own ‘towers of tomorrow’ with over 200,000 loose LEGO bricks. Classmates will work together to add to a steadily rising futuristic LEGO metropolis inside the exhibit.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Edward Chase Garvey Memorial Foundation, a limited number of qualifying school groups will participate in this program free of charge.

Children’s Village (Kindergarten – Grade 5)

Children’s Village

In the Children’s Village, an immersive learning environment sparks the imagination of five- to nine-year-olds as they explore a child-sized city that provides a world of 21st-century learning opportunities in math, science, social studies and more.

Each one hour and 30-minute tour includes an exclusive exploration of the exhibit space and concludes with an educational program. Favorite Children’s Village exhibits include the Super Service Center, Pizza Parlor, Market, Walker Fishing Pond, Hospital, BankandPet Clinic!

Tour times: 9:00 am, 10:00 am and 11:00 am

Request a field trip here. See our Children’s Village Field Trip programs below.

Community Workers (Kindergarten – Grade 2)

Students explore the concept of a community as they take on the roles of bankers, electricians, mechanics, librarians and other community members. After students visit the Children’s Village, they create a model community of their own, determining what roles and institutions are necessary for it to function. They will also sharpen their map skills as they become city planners and create a map of their own community.

This financial literacy program helps students make connections between everyday living and finances. Students earn paychecks, make consumer choices, use teamwork at their job sites and learn how members of a community depend upon each other. They also form a “family” and demonstrate the ability to make appropriate personal economic choices about their wants and needs. Attendance at a FREE teacher workshop on September 30 or October 6 is a prerequisite for teachers new to the program.

Thanks to a generous grant from Wells Fargo Advisors, a limited number of qualifying school groups will participate in this program free of charge.

Star-Spangled Center (Grades 1 – 5)

Star-Spangled Center

Star-Spangled Center tours include visiting the Oval Office, Legislative Chamber and Courtroom. These interactive environments offer students the opportunity to learn about the three branches of government – of the people, by the people and for the people. Focusing on civil literacy, students are invited to take on the roles of Executive, Judicial and Legislative officials acting out governmental processes. This engaging experience is sure to turn students into educated young citizens.

School groups are greeted by a Museum teacher who leads the one hour and 30-minute learning experience which includes an exploration of the exhibit space and a grade level-specific program.

Tour times: 9:30 am and 10:15 am

Thanks to a generous grant from the Trio Foundation of St. Louis, a limited number of qualifying school groups will participate in these programs free of charge.

Request a field trip here. See our Star-Spangled Center Field Trip programs below.

Majority Rules (Grades 1 – 3)

Cast your vote! Students register to vote, cast their ballots and evaluate election results on issues that matter to kids. This program illustrates how voting is one of our most important rights and responsibilities and demonstrates democracy in action.

All in favor say “aye” for this hands-on civic education program designed to help students identify Congress as the primary law-making body of the U.S. government. This experience invites young representatives to follow the law-making process from an idea for a bill, to discussion, vote and finally to the president’s desk to learn how our laws are made.

Design Challenge (Grades 3 – 5)

Design Challenge(Grades 3 – 5)

It’s the ultimate DIY experience for students! Budding inventors tackle design challenges targeting grade-specific STEAM academic disciplines. From constructing a skyscraper to creating an electric circuit, integration of problem-based learning and design thinking will actively engage students in the discovery process to solve open-ended problems and empower them with knowledge.

Each one hour and 30-minute tour includes an exclusive exploration of the Make-It Workshop, Art Studio and Future Play and a grade level-specific program.

Non-Guided Field Trip (Public Hours)

With hundreds of hands-on exhibits to explore, The Magic House is the perfect place for a group visit that’s both educational and fun!

During public hours, The Magic House invites groups to visit for non-guided field trip experiences.

The Magic House offers special rates for groups of 15 or more. In order to receive this rate, a minimum of one adult chaperone is required for every five children. Reservations are not necessary for self-guided group visits during public hours. However, advance notification will simplify your check-in process. Please notify us about your group visit here.